Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine

Original Article

Relationship Between Long-term PM_2.5 Exposure and Myopia Prevalence in Adults: Analysis of the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey-Air Pollution Linked Data, 2020: Minju Jung, Hyungdoo Kim, Ji Hoon Kim, Dong-jae Seo, Jong-Han Leem, Shin-Goo Park, Dong-Wook Lee, Hwan-Cheol Kim; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2025;e8. Published online April 16, 2025; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/aoem.2025.37.e8 [Accepted]

Abstract PDF: Background
PM2.5 (particulate matter less than 2.5 μm) causes various health problems. Recent studies suggest that long-term exposure to PM2.5 may have a negative impact on vision. This study examined the effects of long-term exposure to concentrations of PM2.5 exceeding Korean standards on myopia prevalence.
Methods
This study was conducted on adults aged 40–69 years. The PM2.5 concentrations were calculated as the 1–5-year moving averages based on the participants' residential areas. The relationships between the PM2.5 levels, categorized by the annual average concentration standard in Korea, and the prevalence of myopia were analyzed using binary logistic regression. The results were evaluated using the 95% confidence interval.
Results
PM2.5 concentrations averaged over 1–3 years were not significantly associated with the prevalence of myopia. On the other hand, the prevalence of myopia was significantly higher in areas where the 4–5-year moving average PM2.5 levels exceeded the Korean standards. These findings suggest that long-term exposure to PM2.5 may have a detrimental effect on vision.
Conclusions
This study revealed the impact of long-term PM2.5 exposure on the prevalence of myopia, highlighting the importance of managing PM2.5 levels. Nevertheless, further cohort studies focusing on adults and in-depth research into the effects of long-term exposure will be necessary.

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Case report

Three cases of congenital diseases in the children of female semiconductor workers at a company recognized by the Occupational Disease Adjudication Committee: Chandu Kim, Hoekyeong Seo, Jihyung Choi, Younghwa Choi, Yongjin Kim, Kyung-Eun Lee, Shinhee Ye; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2025;e9. Published online April 23, 2025; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/aoem.2025.37.e9 [Accepted]

Abstract PDF: Background
In August 2021, three female semiconductor workers applied for occupational disease compensation due to congenital diseases diagnosed in their children: patient A (immunoglobulin A nephropathy, vesicoureteral reflux, renal agenesis), patient B (renal agenesis, esophageal atresia with tracheoesophageal fistula), and patient C (congenital megacolon). The Occupational Safety and Health Research Institute (OSHRI) initially assessed the relatedness of these conditions to occupational exposure as low. However, the Occupational Disease Adjudication Committee of the Korea Workers’ Compensation and Welfare Service (KWCWS) overturned this assessment, officially recognizing these cases as occupational diseases in March 2024—the first such recognition in South Korea.
Case presentation
The mother of Patient A worked in optical processes for 9 years, the mother of patient B worked in diffusion processes for 10 years, and the mother of patient C worked in molding and inspection processes for 7 years. Their jobs involved exposure to benzene, organic solvents, pyrolysis products, ionizing radiation, and X-rays. All three women continued working during pregnancy, and none had a family history of related illnesses.
Conclusions
OSHRI estimated that the occupational exposure levels of these workers were low and noted insufficient reproductive research focused on congenital anomalies in the Korean semiconductor industry before 2010. However, KWCWS cited frequent miscarriages among female semiconductor workers as indirect evidence of an increased risk of congenital anomalies. KWCWS ultimately concluded that substantial evidence supports an association between occupational exposure and congenital diseases in the children of female semiconductor workers. This case series highlights a landmark recognition of occupational disease related to congenital anomalies in the semiconductor industry, emphasizing the need for further reproductive health research and improved worker protections.

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